Game 123: Howard, Ruiz return to lineup

Matt Gelb

Posted:
Friday, August 19, 2011, 3:23 PM

WASHINGTON — Both Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz are back in Charlie Manuel's lineup after each missed a brief time with minor injuries.

Howard sat Thursday with what was described as a sore right hand suffered during Wednesday's game. He was examined by a doctor Thursday and both team and player did not believe the injury to be serious.

Ruiz missed the last two games with a bruised left testicle and it was probably as painful as it sounds. Roy Halladay likely owes Ruiz a new watch or Cy Young trophy replica for throwing a curveball so nasty that Miguel Montero only caught a piece of it, launching the ball into Ruiz's groin.

And then there's this: The Phillies can play .500 ball for the remainder of the season (20-20) and finish with 100 victories. Yeah.